Conservatives call for reform of vaccine review

3 November 2008

The UK Vaccine Industry Group (UVIG) is aware of the recent Conservative Party proposals for the reform of NICE*, including the suggestion that future vaccines and immunisation programmes should be evaluated by NICE, rather than the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI)with its UK wide remit, as at present. For some time now, UVIG has been calling for a debate around the process for the recommendation of vaccines and vaccination programmes, to ensure that UK vaccination policy is able to keep pace with the anticipated new vaccines and developments in vaccine technology.

UVIG would welcome reform of the current process, which could include the adoption of some of the principles that are currently part of the NICE process. However, that need not result in the JCVI being taken over by NICE; as a first step, UVIG would support a thorough review of both processes, including reviewing best practice from other review and recommendation bodies in this and other countries. There are a number of improvements in the process that should be considered, from greater transparency and the involvement of other stakeholders to the inclusion of societal data alongside economic modelling when deciding whether to recommend the use of particular vaccines and/or to introduce a new vaccination programme.

Change now would help to deliver timely access to vaccines for the UK population, and would ensure that the UK maintains its position as a global leader in public health. UVIG and its member companies are keen to work with all the relevant stakeholders to be part of the debate on how to move forward and bring about a transparent and more consultative process.

* Note:

The National Insitute for Health and Clinical Excellence develops guidelines and guidance for the NHS in England.